The world's largest species of jellyfish in the White Sea

Floating like a giant fruit in the icy seas of the White Sea in northern Russia, lion mane jellyfish (scientific name Cyanea capillata) is said to be the largest jellyfish in the world. How huge is it?

Alexander Semenov, the head of the diving teams at the White Sea biology stations, was fortunate to capture twice the giant jellyfish in his 10-year diving career.

'It was an unforgettable moment, fortunately, when the jellyfish appeared in front of my camera , ' Semenov told British science magazine New Scientist.

Giant jelly mane Cyanea capillata.

Lion's mane jellyfish is the world's largest jellyfish and the largest invertebrate in the White Sea. They can grow to 70cm in width and its transparent tentacles can last up to 15m.

'When facing the sea, it can easily touch your body even if you try to avoid it,' Mr. Semenov said.

The lion's mane made use of tentacles to inject poison into the prey and cause the victim pain but not lethal.'Although I had a swimsuit, the jellyfish still fired poison into my face and made my lips numb, unable to speak for an hour , ' Semenov recalled.

The lion's mane may eat everything from small fish to 're-eat' the jellyfish moon Aurelia aurita. They are voracious and that's why its body is so big. Sometimes the lion's 'floating stomach' contained at the same time from 5 to 6 moonfishes stirring in despair.

The White Sea Biological Station is under the management of Moscow University of Lomonosov (Russia). During the summer, international researchers and students often visit the place - the 'paradise' of the White Sea and see the beach at midnight with the sun never off.